| Actual Image
Just Hanging Out (6)
Finland_in_Eton
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 156 W: 23 N: 225]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif) (876) | Wandering down towards where the river cruise boats tie up, I spotted a gull sitting on the sign post, trying to keep his balance as the wind blew up his tail feathers. The clear blue sky and the way the weathered post and sign created a step effect appealed to me. I cropped it a bit to enhance that and create what looks, to me, a harmonious composition. I didn't do much in the way of other editing except to remove 'haze' by using unsharp mask.
Pictured is a Black Headed Gull, they are very common in this area. This would be winter plummage, possibly a juvenile from last breeding season. These gulls have an extreme variety of plummage between winter and summer and juvenile characteristics. The black head vanishes in the winter. Young birds have a black tail band.
Wikipedia, as usual, has some interesting information on Black Headed Gulls and, in this case, some good photos of varying plummage. |
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